On July 4th, 2012, attendees of the first Occupy National Gathering in Philadelphia were invited to participate in a collective visioning process which

sought to answer the following questions: “What is your vision for a democratic future? What does it look like? What does it include?” Over two hundred

Occupiers from across the United States took part in the process in Philadelphia, and even more participated online.

During the early days of our movement, many of us arrived at a simple answer to the most commonly asked question about our movement: “What is the

message?” After participating in a consensus-based general assembly for just a few weeks, many of us in Philly came to the conclusion that our process itself

was our message. Since we seek a world where all voices are heard, all ideas are considered, and all opinions matter, our movement’s direct democratic model is more than just a decision-making process: it is a model. “Our process is our message,” became one of our primary guiding philosophies, and it deeply

influenced the development of both the National Gathering and its visioning process.

The following document is not a list of demands, or a political platform, or a manifesto. It is merely the first step toward developing a collective vision. It is our

sincere hope that the on looking world will reflect on this document and look with new eyes for the purpose of our movement. For those who continue to wonder at

our message and goals, this list provides some guidance. It helps to explain what motivates us, and why we continue to risk our freedom, our health, and our personal security in order to assert our rights and work every day toward a better future. It is not intended to represent the entire Occupy movement, but it is reflective of a moment in time when people from across the movement gathered together to take stock of where we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. The list is far from complete, but it was created through a participatory, democratic process in which every voice was heard and every idea recorded.

Finally, it is important to remember that participants were asked about “vision,” not strategy or tactics. A vision points to the “what,” not the “how.” It is

the destination, not the path. In this movement – like many others through history – we often declare: “another world is possible.” In the document below, we begin to provide our answers to the obvious follow-up question, “but what will this new world look like?”

-The National Gathering Working Group 2

Our Vision As determined by those who participated In the National Gathering Visioning Process On July 4 th , 2012

85 economic system based not on profits, but mutual aid and meeting all human needs

85 housing for all

82 workplace democracy and worker-owned co-ops

79 freedom to live anywhere: no borders, no nations

77 a collective, horizontal, non-hierarchical society

73 corporate power and influence rejected

72 all cultures respected equally

68 decentralized and de-corporatized media and information, with a free and unregulated internet

67 people feel empowered, free, and unafraid

66 restorative justice and rehabilitation, not incarceration

61 no money in politics

61 a strong sense of community

61 no more prison-industrial complex

60 safety for everyone from domestic violence and fear

58 free common public spaces

55 decentralization

54 anti-capitalism

53 all human life valued equally

53 open source technology and skill sharing

52 healthcare emphasizes preventative and alternative measures

50 absolute transparency in government policy making

49 a living wage

48 no corporate personhood

46 100% organic food & agriculture3

44 transparency

42 all decisions considered for seven generations in the future

39 peace, nonviolence, no war/death machines; no military; no need for violent conflict or guns

37 drugs decriminalized

37 more humanity, compassion, kindness, selflessness

36 critical thinking in education

36 guaranteed work programs

36 recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights

33 free healthcare (accessible and state of the art)

33 no GMOs

33 no more debt

32 transparency in collective decision making

32 a culture of listening

31 symbiotic/harmonious relationship with all and everything; delusion of duality (not seeing ourselves and others as separate); mutually beneficial relationship between humans, the earth, and its inhabitants; acting with consideration for the

community, world, and everything else

30 end nuclear power and weapons

30 end the fed

30 fairness and equality for all beings (including ecosystems, resources)

Philadelphia by Occupy Cafe’s visioning process is available at click here

The National Gathering Working Group will be discussing any possible next-steps for this document on our regularly scheduled Tuesday night conference calls through InterOccupy. Register for next week’s call at InterOccupy.net